The only thing missing from Caitlin Clark joining the MVP conversation

The Indiana Fever have taken the WNBA by storm. Rookie Caitlin Clark is the league’s most popular player and fans cannot get enough. She is breaking records and making headlines on the daily. Everybody knew Clark was special, but nobody expected her to be this outstanding.

The 22-year-old averages 17.8 points, 8.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 35.2 minutes per game through 28 contests. She is already an All-Star and leads the W in assists. Those are MVP numbers, but she is not in the conversation.

Clark’s production is climbing and the 22-year-old is ending the Rookie of the Race. She has the popularity and production of an MVP but is missing this key ingredient in catching A’ja Wilson in the race for the league’s highest individual honor.

Caitlin Clark must lead Fever to more wins to join the MVP conversation

Clark is coming. Over her last seven games, she averages 23.0 points, 11.9 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 block each night. Her shooting efficiency and production have jumped, and the Fever have lost just twice during that stretch. Clark would shatter the league’s assist record and be one of the W's top scorers if she keeps it up over a full season.

Fans know monster production is needed to be in the race for Most Valuable Player, but that is not the only key element. Narrative and winning are also factored in. Clark has a better narrative than anyone. She is lifting the entire sport to new levels of popularity and has become the face of the W as a rookie, but the missing element is team success.

The Fever have not made the playoffs since 2016 and are in danger of suffering their eighth-straight losing season. Indiana is 13-15 with 12 games remaining in the regular season. They sit seventh in the WNBA standings and just 2.5 games ahead of the Dream for the final playoff position. The Fever likely qualify but are far from an elite team.

A’ja Wilson is on pace to win her third MVP honors. She is the best player on the two-time defending WNBA champion Aces. Wilson is putting up historic numbers and has Vegas at 17-10 so far. The standings are jumbled at the top, and the Aces figure to finish anywhere from third to fifth heading into the playoffs.

Clark could be in the MVP race as soon as next season. The Fever got off to a dismal 1-8 start before finding their footing. They have won five of their last seven, which would be tied for the third-best winning percentage in the W if done over the full season. Clark’s scoring, rebounding, and defense will improve as she reaches his peak.

The 22-year-old has already put the W on notice. Caitlin Clark certainly has next. She figures to be in the thick of the MVP race in year two and is on her way to legendary status. The best is still yet to come and that is bad news for anyone standing in her way.